The first vehicle to try North Bend's newest street was a Snoqualmie Valley School District bus.

The Downing Avenue extension opened to traffic Thursday morning, Oct. 7, following a ribbon cutting by city staff, school personnel and representatives of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and Fury Construction.

The street was designed to match existing stretches of Park Avenue and Downing Avenue, which resulted in a curve in the roadway. Ten decorative lights will be installed this winter.

“This project provides much-needed relief to parents transporting their children to North Bend Elementary and reduces congestion and the safety hazard of vehicles cutting through the QFC parking lot,” said North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing.

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